Combat

Players can use 2 weapons (one in each hand) while fighting and stealth has been completely overhauled with new features, such as counters and human shields. Connor enters into battle with a wide variety of weapons at his disposal including his knife, tomahawks, flintlock pistols, his bow (arrows included), and the hidden blade (best for stealth kills).

Connor can now interact with the environment more than ever before. In addition, the manual target locking system has been replaced by an automated one effectively changing most previous Combat dynamics. Assassinations can now be performed with any and all weapons, most notably the tomahawk, it's brutal. A new weapon, the rope dart, enables Connor to ensnare enemies from trees and ledges, then giving you the option to either suffocate them 'till death or even vacate your perch and play hangman with them. It also allows Connor to pull his enemies to the floor for an easy kill or even yank cavalrymen from their horses.

The combat system has been radically innovated and recreated from the ground up, as there are now hundreds of new unique animations, few if any have been carried over from Brotherhood. Simple defense and counter-attacking in general have become much more simple and combat now allows for a player on the offensive to wreck havoc at his own pace, with newly implemented attacks based upon both brute strength and sheer momentum. A great new improvement is that Assassinating no longer stammers the player's movement as Connor can now move fluidly forth, maintaining his momentum, when you choose to assassinate someone or sometwo on the run.

There are also new stealth elements to the game. Connor can now lurk in bushes and around corners. As with prior installments civilians will sometimes even help him lure a guard in a trap. You can now hide in even smaller groups and strands connecting your head to those of people around you is the new visual cue as to when Conner has 'blended' in. The brotherhood returns! You can still summon recruited assassins, people Conner will choose to help throughout the extent of the game, and now beyond just Assassinations, you can use them in various new unlockable ways such as the 'Covert escort' ability which can help you sneak into heavily guarded areas.

Health now regenerates, no more smelling salt. While in combat when you sustain damage you will not heal until you cease 'open conflict' either via escape or success in your aggressive negotiations. Immediately post-conflict your health will casually return to its maximum.